Overview
- Vodacom Bulls named 10 Springboks to face Bristol in Pretoria, with Handre Pollard and Embrose Papier paired at half-back and Canan Moodie and Kurt‑Lee Arendse absent under concussion protocols as the fixture is viewed as a must‑win after a six‑match skid.
- Duhan van der Merwe returned to Edinburgh’s starting XV against Gloucester, with coach Sean Everitt linking his recent dip to injuries and backing him to rebuild form with game time.
- Stormers, unbeaten and leading Pool 3, selected a mixed squad featuring four debutants and Damian Willemse as captain for Harlequins at Twickenham Stoop.
- Severe forecasts in the UK, flagged as Storm Goretti, brought sub‑zero temperatures and snow into preparations for touring South African sides.
- In the Challenge Cup, the Cheetahs restored Jaco van der Walt at fly-half for Ulster in Amsterdam and the Lions named Junior Springbok Batho Hlekani for a debut off the bench against Lyon.